{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Log in to Manage yourProfile and Account

Vontae Davis: I took some lumps this season

Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis has had a rookie season to remember. Since being thrown into a starting role following the injury to Will Allen, Davis has had some ups – most notably a team-high four interceptions – and plenty of downs. Through it all he’s maintained a positive perspective.

“I didn’t come in not expecting to get beat,” Davis said Friday. “I took some lumps. I’m just trying to keep working, stay aggressive and work on my mistakes. Get better next time.

“I know how hard I have to work, I know I have to work to get better. It was the same thing in college. From high school to college it was a similar jump. Same thing. You just gotta deal with it. It’s something you’ve gotta go through.”

His job won’t get any easier Sunday, when the Dolphins secondary faces another challenge in one of the best wide receivers corps in the business: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and rookie Michael Wallace. Davis said each of them presents his own problems.

“They’re all different,” he said. “You can’t look at it as stopping one. You worry about one and the other two will kill you.”

He’s gotten to know Holmes, the Belle Glade native who was MVP after making the game-winning catch in last year’s Super Bowl. The two share the same personal assistant and have become familiar off the field.

“He’s a real good dude,” Davis said. “You know he’ll be out there talking.”

No, not trash talking, just the usual back-and-forth that goes on between receivers and cornerbacks when they butt heads for 60 minutes.

While Ward is listed as questionable with a pair of sore hamstrings, Davis expects him to play.

“He’s supposed to be one of the toughest receivers in the league, so he’s gonna play. I don’t know how much he’s gonna play, but he’s gonna play. They’re trying to get to the playoffs, so they need him.”

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is known for keeping plays alive with his feet, allowing receivers to get open after it appeared they were covered. For that reason, Davis said there’s no way he can let up until he hears the whistle.

“They’ve made a lot of catches after the play (was over),” Davis said.

Davis rejected the idea this game could provide an opportunity to make a statement that, for him at least, better days are ahead.

“It’s not a statement game,” he said. “I’m gonna do what I do. You can’t be afraid, or feel like you’ve gotta make a statement.”